But I find this to be a serious problem for single Christian women. How can you find a man who truly serves God? How can you find a man who isn't just a Christian on Sundays, who follows all of God's commandments, not just the ones which are convenient? Where are they hiding?
Well, I think for starters we have to look in the right places. To exhaust a fishing metaphor: we have to use the right bait, and fish in the right spot. If we're wearing low-cut tops, short skirts, and going to bars, chances are we won't find a man of God. Or if we do, we won't attract him.
But today's post isn't about how women of God should act. That will come later, as I want to do a more in-depth study about what God expects of His daughters. Today's post will be about God's expectations of His sons. I think if Christian women know what God expects of men, we will know what we should expect, and even require of all men around us. Or maybe I'm the only person with this problem...
This article does a good job of breaking it down. It's a good read, and I really enjoyed it. Please read it. It not only gave me a starting point to focus my thoughts, it is something I would recommend as a reference.
After reading this article, and the referenced Scriptures, I finally feel like I understand what I should expect from a man, and if he doesn't live up to these standards (God's standards) then he isn't a man I should be considering. I will not include all the verses from the article, as I don't want to recreate it. These are some verses that describe what God expects of men:
1 Corinthians 7:32-33 - I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs-how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife
I think this also means that he should not be actively looking for a wife. Now, human nature usually drives us to try to find a "mate," and most people do spend a lot of time dating, so I'm not saying that's wrong. But it shouldn't be his main focus (or ours!). I read a quote online that I absolutely loved! It says "Imagine a man so focused on God that the only reason he looked up to see you is because he heard God say 'That's her.'"
A true Christian who is single (man or woman) should be totally focused on God. Once you're married, your attention is divided between God and your spouse/family.
1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
God expects men to be compassionate and understanding leaders, humble and willing followers, and loving and respectful brothers, sons, friends, husbands and fathers. They can be none of these things without God.
Single Christian women should be looking for men who serve God out in the open, aren't afraid to show emotion, who are leaders both in and out of their homes, servants as Jesus served, respectful, kind and loving, and who recognize the importance of women first as God's daughters and then as men's helpers (Genesis 1:27, 2:7 & 2:18-24).
This verse shows how men of God should treat others:
1 Timothy 5:1-2 - Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Yes, this means they should not be making lewd or flirtatious remarks towards women.
Christian men must recognize that they are not superior to anyone. They are all supposed to be following God, and even if they are in a position of leadership, they are still meant to serve in that leadership with humbleness, and compassion.
Like the article said, “Somehow we need to get it out of our heads that leadership means superiority and supportive roles mean inferiority.”
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"Courageous" by Casting Crowns is one of my favorite worship songs, and I think it is a perfect way to end this post.
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